Brazil’s iconic singer-songwriter Gilberto Gil returned to London at the Barbican Centre with an exciting new creative music project – bringing the joyful, exuberant spirit of the Bahian Carnival to accompany him.
For those of you that are not that familiar with Gil he´s truly an iconic music legend and one of the biggest leading lights ever to emerge of the provocative Tropicalia movement that swept Brazil in the late 1960s with a discography spanning nearly 50 years.
With a warm welcome back to the London’s Barbican on 31st October Gilberto Gil’s charismatic stage presence was complemented by the rhythms and vocal power of the visually stunning Bahian group Cortejo Afro, the Nucleo de Opera de Bahia and chamber ensemble Orquestra Nova Lisboa – with specially commissioned arrangements from musical director Aldo Brizzi, who also conducted the night, – to create an exuberant and life-affirming celebration.
An Artist that continues to challenge his creative force this live show performance doesn’t disappoint you and presents a mix of African rhythms, electronic beats and pop, Cortejo Afro created a sound they refer to as “afro-baiana musical revolution”. Translated into English as ‘Afro Court’, the group was formed to celebrate the African identity of Carnival. In addition we are also presented by his phenomenal, new project with the Nucleo de Opera de Bahia with their thrilling Choral opera singers celebrating life and love.
Forever a man of the people and a national treasure his Political and social views propelled him to the forefront arising from one of Brazil’s biggest Pop stars to house arrest during country’s military dictatorship. 50 years on, his charismatic stage presence and soulful vocals still recall and echo continuously the eternal flame in this radical spirit. During his political exile in London by Brazil’s then military dictatorship in the 70’s he took inspiration from the rich musical pool of sounds including his forever love of reggae. In more recent times Gil took his political and social activities to an official role, serving as Brazil’s Minister of Culture (2003-2008).
Gil is Internationally celebrated as a profound songwriter, performer and political statesman and been honoured with many titles and awards including two Grammys, the UNESCO Artist of Peace (1999), Légion d’Honneur of France and Sweden’s Polar Music Prize, amongst others.
For further information on up and coming shows and releases on Gilberto Gil go to his website: www.gilbertogil.com.br
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